Banana, Dates and Pistachios Bread

Banana, Dates, Pistachios Bread, have you ever had this combination?

I love baking quick, no fuss breads to serve with tea or coffee. I am not a big sweet tooth but I like a warm bread slice once in a while and Banana Bread is the best combination with coffee.

When I was living in Tokyo, I received 3-4 kgs of dates from one of my students and I went all out with everything with dates recipes ;). This is I came up with Banana, dates and walnut bread recipe.

I always bake banana and dates bread but I wanted to try something new this time.

The banana, dates and almond or walnuts combination is quite common but I thought why not bake it with pistachios instead! It was a pleasant surprise to see how soft, moist this bread came out. I have been baking this bread since and I love it!

The crunchiness of pistachios is absolutely amazing in this Banana, Dates, Pistachios Bread. I like to eat this bread with a cup of tea or sometimes even with my cold coffee.

Do give this recipe a try!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• ½ tsp each clove and ginger powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup pitted dates cut in pieces
• ½ cup hot water
• 2 big size riped bananas mashed
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract/ essence or paste
• ½ cup roasted sliced pistachios
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (canola oil or sunflower)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 165C/325F. Line the loaf pan with a baking paper in the bottom.

Whisk together plain flour, salt, baking powder, soda and spices. Keep it aside.

Mix hot water, a pinch of baking soda and dates together, keep it aside.

Whisk the oil and sugar well. Add the egg and continue whisking for about 1 minute. Add the mashed up banana and vanilla flavouring. Mix it well.

Now add the dates mixture, add flour in 3 batches. Fold in half of the pistachios and pour the batter in the pan. If the batter is too thick add 1 tbsp milk.

Tap the pan on the counter to get rid of the bubbles. Sprinkle rest of the pistachios on the top.

Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes or till the toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

After baking transfer to a cooling rack. Sprinkle the top with confectioners sugar (optional).

Serve with hot coffee! Enjoy!!